Almond said growing and manufacturing facilities would be limited to industrial areas around the county with dispensaries located in business districts, like along York, Liberty and Reisterstown roads. Dispensers can also locate in commercial revitalization districts, like historic Reisterstown, but need special exemptions.

"The medical cannabis people, the commission wanted them to be on main roads so people could have easy access to them who needed them, and the whole point is to make sure it's available for people who need it for health reasons," Almond said.

Barbara Burdette, who has owned the Elephant's Trunk consignment shop in historic Reisterstown for five years, said any successful business would be welcome on Main Street.

"I don't have a problem with it as long as it's for medical reasons. It's going to be restricted in some measure, so if it brings more business, that's great," Burdette said.

Residents who live nearby, like Calvin Marcus, said they worry about people abusing the system.

"I strongly disagree with that, because I don't think it meshes well with the normal vibe around here right now. This is a historic neighborhood, and I think it would probably tarnish the image of Reisterstown," Marcus said.

The dispensaries must also be 500 feet from schools, not only to protect children now, but also if recreational use becomes legal down the road.

Licenses will be tough to get as well. There will be 15 available for manufacturing and 15 for processing in Baltimore County.

"There are two licenses per Senate district, so we're not talking about being inundated with dispensaries, but I think where we decided they should go gives them options, and it gives the community some certainty of where they're going to be," Almond said.

So far, no licenses have been issued anywhere in the state, let alone Baltimore County. It's unclear when marijuana could be grown in Maryland and hitting the shelves of an actual medical marijuana pharmacy.